Sign assembly



Nov. 3, 1964 P. HOPP ETAL 3,154,370

smu-- ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/GT/ INVENTORS P/l/L/P f/OPP wan/v a. J4C/(Sd/V By asaeae A. 11/000:

P. HOPP ETAL Nov. 3, 1964 SIGN ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 10, 1962 V4, JW 41% P. HoPP ETAL SIGN ASSEMBLY Nov. 3, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 10, 1962 Pill/P United States Patent 3,154,870 SlGN ASSEMBLY Philip Hopp, New York, N.Y., George H. Woods, Fairfieid, Conn, and Aihan Gifford Jackson, New York,

N.Y., assignors to The Hopp Press, Inc, New York,

N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 11!, 1962, Ser. No. 222,730 Claims. (Ci. 49-428) The present invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved sign or display assembly.

It is a primary object to furnish a structure of this character useful in markets and stores of diverse character and especially where self-service is involved. So employed, the customers will be able to quickly identify individual counters and merchandise-display areas; full use of the floor space being practicable where the assembly is employed.

A further object is that of designing a structure composed of individual units capable of being readily assembled and retained against movement with respect to each other to provide assemblies of diverse outline capable of being viewed from a number of different directions.

Still another object is that of providing a unit of novel character capable of being grouped with other units to furnish complete assemblies, the parts of which remain attached to each other until deliberately freed for dis mantling of the assembly. 1

Among other objects of the invention are those of designing elements or units capable of ready cooperation with each other and having a long effective life; the units being individually simple in design and capable of economical production.

With these and other objects in mind reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one form of assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fragmentary unit of that assembly shown in partial section;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view in enlarged scale taken along the line 3-3 in the direction of the arrows as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a similar view taken along the line 44 in the direction of the arrows as also indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of certain of the parts as illustrated in FIG. 3 and showing lock elements in relation to the assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective View of a card frame preferably forming a part of the assembly;

FIG. 7 is an edge view of one of the card retaining units;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a display assembly of different configuration from that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a gusset element as used in the assembly shown in FIG. 8; and

FlG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a second form of gusset employed in that assembly.

Referring primarily to FIG. 1 the numeral indicates a central display frame which is conveniently supported by chains 16 or other suspending members. This frame has its lower edge attached to a master or spacer bar 17 upon which are supported card frames 18 preferably of smaller size than frame 15. Conveniently the latter may enclose or frame indicia such as a numeral to designate an area of the store while elements 18 may frame cards conveniently displaying letters indicative of different classes of merchandise.

Supported below the spacer or master unit 17 are lettering panels generally indicated at 19. Any desired number of these may be suspended one below the other and each receive indicia-bearing strips or cards 20 which are 3,154,87fi Patented Nov. 3, 1964 capable of ready association or detachment from panels 19. When in position units 20 may, for example, identify individual articles of merchandise and their price.

In most instances it is preferred to employ at least a frame such as 15, the spacer or master bar or unit 17 and a pair of units 19 suspended below the same. However, certain of these elements, if desired, could be eliminated in any given assembly with the latter being provided by other units as herein disclosed. In the following description the entire assembly as illustrated in FIG. 1 will be traversed. This, however, is to be regarded as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense as afore brought out.

Thus, as in FIG. 2 unit 17 will include a body having its longitudinal upper and lower edge portions defined by a pair of divergent arms 21 terminating in opposed and inwardly extending portions 22. Extending between these arms are the shanks 23 of screws or bolts, the threads of which engage the threads of nuts 24 disposed inwardly of portions 22. As shown in FIG. 4 shanks 23 extend through the base portion of a channel member 25 with the head 26 of the bolt or screw lying Within this member. Frame 15 is provided by this member and as shown in FIG. 1 the channel defined thereby may be interrupted through the upper edge zone of the frame to allow for the insertion and removal of an indicia bearing card 27. The latter may be conveniently notched as at 29 to straddle the head of the bolt or screw.

No bolts or nuts are necessary to attach units such as 19 to the spacer or master bar 17. Nor are securing elements such as this necessary to attach the spacer to the lower units 18. Rather, the latter as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 may include rim portions 3% from the lower faces of which strips 31 extend and from which, in turn, longitudinally extending shank portions 32 project preferably throughout the entire length of the strips 31. Cross pieces 33 and 34 are integral with stems 32 and present effective widths slightly less than the inner and outer zones of the channel defined between legs 21 of the master or spacer bar 17. Therefore, if a frame 18 is to be mounted it is merely necessary to align stem 32 with this space and to have cross bar 33 below the inwardly projecting portions 22. Thereupon, by sliding the parts longitudinally with respect to each other the stem together with the parts carried thereby will enter the groove so that the frames are conveniently disposed adjacent the ends of the spacer bar 17 as shown in FIG. 1. They will remain in this position and if desired may be locked against accidental displacement in a manner hereinafter brought out.

Instead of using removable cards in association with frames 18 integral portions 36 may extend inwardly of rim 30 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. Centrally of portion 36 a thickened and integral part or parts 35 may be provided which will define suitable indicia, for example, in the form of a letter. Also, as shown especially in FIG. 6 parts 31 to 34 may have a length less than the base portion of rim 30 to provide the mounting stem.

Returning to a consideration of FIGS. 3 and 5 it will be seen that each of the cnits 19 conveniently includes a thickened portion 37 adjacent one of its longitudinal edges and a corresponding portion 38 adjacent its opposite edge. 'These parts are connected by a Wall 39. Extending towards each other from each of these thickened portions and spaced from wall 39 are retaining lips 40. This structure has also been shown in FIG. 7 in which the card 20 has been illustrated in process of application to the unit. As will be noted in that view the grooves defined between the thickened portions 37 and 38 and their adjacent lips 40 diverge outwardly from the central area 39. Card 20, being preferably formed of plastic and flexible, may accordingly have, one of its longitudinal edges introduced into the space adjacent one thickened portion as shown in FIG. 7. Thereupon by flexing its body its opposite edge may be similarly introduced into the channel existing adjacent the second thickened portion. Upon the card being released these divergent flexing grooves or channels will subject it to tension such that it will lie in firm contact with the control portion 39 and thus present a pleasing appearance.

As shown, arms 41 are integral parts of the thickened portion 38 of unit 19. The arms extend in opposed relationship towards each other with their free ends spaced to define a groove 42 having a slotted base. The opposing thickened portion 37 also has L-shaped extensions 43 pro jecting beyond it. The shanks of the latter are also integral with this thickened portion but the arms extend outwardly in directions away from each other. The free ends of these arms are separated a distance substantially equal to the width of groove 42 and the thickness of these arms is such that they may be accommodated within the height of that groove while the distance between their shanks is less than the width of the base slot included within the groove. Also it is to be noted with respect to elements 43 that as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 their shanks are separated a distance such that they may extend between the edges of inwardly projecting portions 22 of the spacer or master until 17.

Accordingly, with that unit suspended below frame and frames 18 mounted upon it, the thickened portion 37 of unit 19 may be disposed adjacent the lower edge of bar 17. By introducing projecting portions 43 above parts 22 with their shanks extending between portions 21 the two units may he slid with respect to each other to telescopically couple their adjacent edge portions. Therefore, unit 19 will be properly suspended. Under these circumstances thickened portion 38 will extend downwardly. The adjacent thickened portion 37 of a lower unit 19 may thereupon be inserted into groove 42 of an upper unit. By repeating the sliding action, resulting in the adjacent edge zones of two units assuming a telescopic relationship the lower unit 19 will be suspended from the upper unit. This operation may be repeated as often as desired so that a whole series of panels may be thus arranged. Thereupon tags or cards such as may be introduced into the molding structures as afore described in connection with FIG. 7. As indicated at 30 in FIG. 5 indicia bearing strips may of course be similarly associated with the molding instead of employing individual tags such as 20 in FIG. 1.

In certain instances it may be desired as a precautionary measure to provide key structures which will prevent a withdrawal of one unit with respect to the other such that a coupling between the same is released. For this purpose keys may be employed as shown especially in FIG. 5. One of these may involve an actuating portion'44 and a wedge-shaped part 45. The adjacent head or thickened portions 37 and 38 of different units 19 are conveniently provided with slots 46 and 47; the former being defined by the space between the stems of extensions 43. The width of key portion 45 and its height will be such that it may be introduced into these slots with the parts in coupled condition. Accordingly, it will be apparent that a wedge action will occur locking the units against sliding movements with respect to each other until the key has been deliberately withdrawn.

Similarly, the key shown in the upper portion of FIG. 5 may be employed for the same purpose. This key will involve an actuating portion 48 from which arms or tines 49 extend. Those units will be formed of spring material and preferably include dimpled or raised portions 50. The distance separating the arms or tines 49 and the thickness of the latter is such that they are introducible between the outer surfaces of inwardly extending portions 22 and, for example, the base of stem 32. Otherwise, they are capable of introduction between portions 22 and the outer face of a thickened portion 37 as well as between the latter and the outer surfaces of parts 41 included in thickened portion 38. Where interposed between a frame member such as 18 and a master or spacer bar 17 they will prevent detachment of these parts. Otherwise, they will similarly prevent detachments of units 19 from unit 17 or from each other.

In this manner an assembly is created which will be pleasing in appearance and adequately display on its opposite side faces (FIG. 1) indicia assisting the customer and relating to adjacent merchandise. However, the present assembly is not limited to displays upon opposite faces or panels. Rather, as indicated in FIG. 8 a rectangular display may be furnished presenting four faces viewable by the public. Obviously, by suitably modifying the parts a three-face display or an assembly presenting more than four faces might be furnished.

To secure this result panels such as 19 are assembled in the manner afore described to furnish the desired number of units. Gusset members are employed adjacent the side edges of the panel assemblies.

One of these gusset members has been shown at FIG. 9 as including a body 51 conveniently formed of sheet metal and having downwardly and inwardly extending flange portions 52 which yieldingly resist outward movement. Therefore, as indicated in the lower portion of FIG. 8 these flanges may be introduced into the grooves defined between lips 40 and the adjacent thickened portions 38. With such introduction they will in effect jam into these spaces and frictionally engage with the adjacent surfaces of the parts to resist withdrawal. At the upper ends of the assemblies a clamp type gusset may be employed. This will conveniently include an upper plate 53 having downwardly and inwardly extending flange portions 54. Conveniently a winged nut 55 is mounted upon the threaded stem 56 of a bolt. This stem also extends through plate 53 and may terminate at its upper end in an eye 57. The latter permits of attachment to and suspension by a chain 16 or equivalent element. Stern 56 also extends through a plate 58 of a contour similar to plate 53 but of lesser area. Plate 58 is provided with a downwardly extending portion 59 terminating in an outwardly projecting flange 60. The latter is spaced from the inwardly extending portion 54 of plate 53. This spacing involves a distance such that plate 53 may be disposed in contact with the upper edge of one of the units 19 with its inwardly extending portion 54 riding into the space defined between thickened part 37 and the outstanding arm of an adjacent element 43. Plate 58 may have its outwardly extending portion 60 similarly disposed with reference to thickened portion 37 and the second element 43 projecting therefrom. Now, by introducing the shank of the bolt through the openings of the plates and mounting thereon wing nut 55, which is thereupon tightened, the gusset will be secured against detachment from the panel assemblies and the latter may accordingly be suspended below the same.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in such an arrangement the master unit 17 may, if desired, be li minated. Also, this unit, together with units 19, may be extruded from aluminum or any other desired material suitable for providing the assembly. This will assure inexpensive manufacture and pleasing appearance. Such elements of the assembly as are not susceptible to being extruded are formed of sheet metal or involve standard parts such as screws or bolts and nuts. Again, economy of manufacture is assured. At the same time relatively rugged structures may be quickly produced according to the needs of any given installation. The parts of these structures will in effect form a single rigid grouping. Those parts may however be readily separated from each other by an experienced person and reassembled tofurnish a new unit whenever this is desired, or necessary.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of areas-7o the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

We claim:

1. A sign assembly including in combination a panel, upper and lower edges of said panel, first arms extending from said lower edge in opposed relationship towards each other with their free ends spaced to define a groove, second arms extending from said upper edge outwardly in directions away from each other, said first and second arms being constructed and arranged whereby the groove formed by said first arms can receive second arms of a like panel, a display frame, a spacer bar, fastening means removably attaching said spacer bar to said display frame, top and bottom edges on said spacer bar, third arms eX- tending from said top edge in opposed relationship towards each other with their free ends spaced to define a groove for receiving said fastening means, fourth arms extendin from said bottom edge in opposed relationship toward each other with their free ends spaced to define a groove receiving said second arms and first and second vertical slots provided in said upper and lower edges respectively of said panel and wedge member inserted in said second slot of said panel and in the first slot of the like panel the second arms of which are received in the grooves of said first arms,

2. A sign assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which the display frame is a channel member, an opening is provided in said channel member and said fastening means consists of a bolt extending through said opening with the head thereof within the channel of said channel member and a nut threaded on said shank and received within the groove defined by said third arms.

3. A sign assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which a key is provided having an actuating portion from which spaced arms extend formed of a spring material whereby said arms are introducable between the outer surfaces of said second arms and the inner surfaces of said fourth arms.

4. A sign assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which said lower edge of said panel is provided with inwardly and upwardly directed lips and a gusset member is provided having downwardly and inwardly extending right angled flange portions receivable within said lip and th lip of a like panel. I

5. A sign assembly in accordance with claim 4 in which a second gusset member is provided having downwardly and inwardly directed flange portions forming right angled grooves in which said second arms of said panel and the second arms of said like panel are disposed.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SIGN ASSEMBLY INCLUDING IN COMBINATION A PANEL, UPPER AND LOWER EDGES OF SAID PANEL, FIRST ARMS EXTENDING FROM SAID LOWER EDGE IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TOWARDS EACH OTHER WITH THEIR FREE ENDS SPACED TO DEFINE A GROVE, SECOND ARMS EXTENDING FROM SAID UPPER EDGE OUTWARDLY IN DIRECTIONS AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND ARMS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED WHEREBY THE GROOVE, FORMED BY SAID FIRST ARMS CAN RECEIVE SECOND ARMS OF A LIKE PANEL, A DISPLAY FRAME, A SPACER BAR, FASTENING MEANS REMOVABLY ATTACHING SAID SPACER BAR TO SAID DISPLAY FRAME, TOP AND BOTTOM EDGES ON SAID SPACER BAR, THIRD ARMS EXTENDING FROM SAID TOP EDGE IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TOWARDS EACH OTHER WITH THEIR FREE ENDS SPACED TO DEFINE A GROVE FOR RECEIVING SAID FASTENING MEANS, FOURTH ARMS EXTENDING FROM SAID BOTTOM EDGE IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TOWARD EACH OTHER WITH THEIR FREE ENDS SPACED TO DEFINE A GROOVE RECEIVING SAID SECOND ARMS AND FIRST AND SECOND VERTICAL SLOTS PROVIDED IN SAID UPPER AND LOWER EDGES RESPECTIVELY OF SAID PANEL AND WEDGE MEMBER INSERTED IN SAID SECOND SLOT OF SAID PANEL AND IN THE FIRST SLOT OF THE LIKE PANEL THE SECOND ARMS OF WHICH ARE RECEIVED IN THE GROOVES OF SAID FIRST ARMS. 